To create a live DVD first download the container file of the desired Puppy Linux, e.g. Fluppy, Puppy 5 or Puppy 5 (multi-lingual).

The container file must have the extension .iso. It is an exact copy, or image, of an existing file system. This image can then be written to an optical disc using a particular software program which will be explained below. It is from that disc that one can run and use Puppy Linux.

After downloading the ISO file verify its integrity by checking the MD5sum. The file may have been corrupted during the download process so always verify its integrity. After verification you may then proceed to write (burn) the ISO file onto blank optical media.

During boot up a computer will search for operating system files on all every drive. For a computer to boot from a live disc the optical drive must come before the hard drive in the boot order. Therefore if the live disc is in the optical drive at boot up then it will be used as the operating system disc and thus boot Puppy Linux.

To create a live disc you may use blank CDR, CDRW, DVDR, DVDRW (single or double layer) discs. Rewritable media has the advantage over write once media in that it is more ecologically friendly due to the fact that discs can be erased and reused up to 1000 times. If you ever have a failed burn with write once media you’ll have a coaster and you’ll have to start again but if you use rewritable media you can erase the disc and burn it again. It is essential to use high quality blank media from manufacturers such as Taiyo Yuden and Verbatim. Make sure the media is compatible with the drive in terms of speed and type.

You must burn it as an ISO image, which means using software that has the capability of creating a bootable (a.k.a live) optical disc using the ISO file as the source. If your burning software offers a choice as to how to burn an iso to create a live disc then select DAO (Disk-At-Once) mode.

Windows users may use Nero software if available. To burn an ISO image the burning software must be instructed to use the "burn ISO image" function. In Nero, go to "File" menu and select "Recorder > Burn Image (not "Burn Bootable Image").